LONDON MARATHON 2015: Northamptonshire runners take on 26-mile marathon

Thousands of people will head to the capital this weekend to take on the annual London Marathon.

Among the runners will be dozens from Northamptonshire people who will hit the streets for the 26-mile race.

Are you taking part in the London Marathon? Send us your name, photo and race time on Sunday to @chronandecho, Facebook ‘Northampton Chronicle’ or email editor@northantsnews.co.uk.

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A blind veteran from Northamptonshire is taking on the London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women.

Steve Parnell, 47, Brackley, wants to give back to Blind Veterans UK for its continuing support and decided the best way to do this was by challenging himself whilst raising money for the charity.

Steve joined the Royal Air Force in 1986 and served until 1991. He worked as a steward in the Officer’s Mess at RAF Brize Norton. While with the RAF Steve was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic disease that slowly causes blindness.

Steve said: “It was quite a shock when they told me because at the time there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. I could still see and drive.”

In 2006 Steve started to receive support from Blind Veterans UK after a local eye clinic made him aware of the charity.

Steve said: “I immensely appreciate the support from Blind Veterans UK. It came at a time I very much needed it and still do. They’ve given me computer training and gadgets I need for work but couldn’t afford myself.”

Robert Woodford NNL-150420-155911001

Now Steve is taking on the London Marathon with his guide David Babbister. David is a good friend of Steve’s and has been his guide on multiple occasions, including several triathlons.

Steve says: “I’ve always wanted to take on the London Marathon and I decided to do it this year while I’m still fit enough. Due to injuries I don’t have a specific time in mind, finishing the race will be a great achievement in itself.”

To find out more about Blind Veterans UK, visit www.blindveterans.org.uk.

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Thomas Winkler NNL-150420-153956001

Ben Adams, from Towcester, said: “Running the marathon for Mind Mental Health in memory of my dad who sadly passed away last year. He was the landlord at the White Horse in Silverstone at the time he passed away.”

virginmoneygiving.com/BenA

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Helen and Ashley’s London Marathon 2015: “We’re running the London Marathon together for the first, and probably last, time. Macmillan’s support for their marathon runners is amazing, with multiple cheering points, pre-race pasta and post-race massage. Please help us to help them give that amazing support to cancer sufferers.”

https://www.justgiving.com/Helenandashley

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Shaun Clark NNL-150420-151916001

Victoria Tysoe White said: “I’m from Rushden and running the London marathon for Autism Concern, in Northampton. It’s my first marathon and so far have raised £1650. My son in autistic and the charity have helped him a lot.”

Www.justgiving.com/vixrunslondon

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Lee Chilvers said: “I’m running the marathon for the first time this Sunday! Ran my first 10k 6 1/2 years ago then in the same summer dislocated and fractured ankle in three places, this was followed by DVT post injury, “I was actually told by the physio at the time I shouldn’t run at the weight I was back then, Only started running again properly about three years ago after I lost approx four stone after I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

“Having joined Parklands Jog and Run on Mondays have gone strength to strength ran my first half marathon last October, I aim to finish Sunday in around five hours.”

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Peter malin said: “I am running the London marathon in memory of my mum who died of Motor neurone Disease last year.

“I have so far raised over £4000 so really pleased.”

Www.justgiving.com/petermalin

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Tim Molloy said: “I am taking part this year in my first London Marathon. I am running for The Make-A-Wish Foundation UK and am aiming to raise £2,500.

“My son Matthew Molloy has featured in the Chron a few times as he had open heart surgery at just 20 days old in September 2008. Having seen many poorly children in hospital has inspired me to run for Make-A-Wish to help these children have a life changing experience.”

www.justgiving.com/TIMMOLLOY1

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John Freeman said: “I shall be running my eighth London marathon (age 67) and this year raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer six months ago and decided to use this to raise awareness amongst men and raise funds for research and better treatment.”

www.virginmoneygiving.com/johnfreeman

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Thomas Alex Winkler said: “I’m running the London marathon on Sunday and raising money for Shelter, I have raised over £1700 with the aim of this being close to £2500.

“I am also running for my mum who was the one who gave me the belief to be able to run, unfortunately she passed away in November and won’t be here to see me compete the raise.”

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TomsMarathon2015

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Joseph Shirley said: “I am running my first Virgin London Marathon this weekend for a charity called RP Fighting Blindness.”

https://www.justgiving.com/Joseph-Shirley

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Robert Woodford said: “I am running the London Marathon for Autism Concern.

“Having reached the age where I was closer to 40 than I was 30, and even more depressingly closer to 50 than 21, I decided it was time to get fit. I have two young(ish) children and I would like to see them grow up. “Eating crisps and sweets (in fact anything not at all healthy) was not going to be doing my heart any good. It was 20 years since I had last “exercised” and that was running around the cross country course at secondary school.

“After swapping doughnuts for dried cranberries, it was clear I needed a goal if I was to do this. So I decided to run the London marathon.

“Choosing a charity to support was sensible. After all if I collect the money I have to do the run. Choosing which charity was also easy – Autism Concern.

“I am a proud trustee of the charity. I am also the parent of a child who accesses the services. I know the work that this charity does. I understand that if they were not doing this work, then families across the county would fall into a black-hole and suffer. I am well aware that every single penny of this money will be put to good use; it won’t be funding expensive marketing campaigns or executive level benefits. This money will be going straight to the front line.

“So whilst the training has been tough, I expect the humiliation to be absolute, once I am exposing my ostrich style legs to the world and a bloke dressed in a full rhino costume carrying a fridge-freezer on his back overtakes me. But I don’t care – because by the end of it there will be many families who will be better off because of the generosity of those who donated.”

www.justgiving.com/robert-woodford.

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Shaun Clark said: “This will be my first marathon at the age of 44. I will be running for LUPUS UK. This charity is very dear to my heart as my wife was diagnosed with this condition three years ago. Looking to raise between £1500 and £2000.”

https://www.justgiving.com/shaunclark1970/

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Chris Lamb, 30 from Kingsthorpe, said: “I am taking part in the London marathon on Sunday. I am running for Parklands Jog and Run, the group I founded and am the head coach & have raised over £3,000 for Help for Heroes & NSPCC. I am aiming to beat my PB of 2.48.59.”

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Natalie Doughty said: “I’m running my first marathon on Sunday. It is also my 32nd birthday.

“I’m running for Heart Research UK in memory of my lovely Mum and Alex.”

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Dean Boor said: “I’m running for Brain Research Trust this Sunday. In 2012 I suffered a still unexplained neurological condition that nearly killed me, now my brain has settled down I wanted to close the whole event and so decided to raise money for Brain Research Trust by running The London Marathon. Brain Research Trust fund research into neurological conditions so it made sense to run for them.”

www.justgiving.com/dean-boor/

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Sarah Potter said: “I’m running the London marathon for SANDS.”

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SarahPotter1

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Louisa Stones said: “I am running the London marathon for Cynthia Spencer hospice in memory if my Dad. This is my fourth marathon and very excited!”

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Nicola Hollowell Was Boden said: “This is my first London marathon and I’m running for Cynthia Spencer hospice.”

Peter Malin said: “I am running in memory of my mum who died of Motor neurone disease last year”

https://www.justgiving.com/petermalin/

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Victoria: “I’m running the London marathon 2015 for Autism Concern because they do great work for people like my son.”

https://www.justgiving.com/vixrunslondon/

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Rebecca Williams said: “Good luck to everyone running. I’m running this years London Marathon 2015 to celebrate my Dad surviving leukaemia. If we can help more survive we’ll run to celebrate instead of in memory having my dad see me at the London marathon is just the best feeling but for those who I’ve lost through Cancer you’ll be in my heart and thoughts.”

virginmoneygiving.com/RebeccaWilliams15

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Neil Dalby said: “I’m raising money for Alzheimer’s Society. This is my first marathon and hopefully not my last. Please feel free take a look at my fundraising page and sponsor me at virginmoneygiving.com/NeilDalbymarathonman.”

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Sarah Deeks said: “I will be running the London Marathon this Sunday for The Brain Tumour Charity. Firstly in memory of Albert Oliver, who passed away at the end of March, a true Northamptonian through and through. “Also running to raise funds for genetic research as both my brother in law and his brother have brain tumours, this is exceedingly rare. They both have children and there is very little funding into research as to whether there will be any genetic implication for them. So I’m doing my little bit for them.”

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Jo Cayton said: “I am running London for the 1st time this year. I am running for WNAA in memory of my dad, who they tried to save, but sadly he didn’t make it.”

Rebecca Williams said: “I’m running this year’s London Marathon 2015 and I’m raising money for ELF Elimination Leukaemia Fund a charity which do great work into research and more for treatment to help fight Leukaemia and give great support to those suffering the illness and their families. I’m celebrating my Dad surviving leukaemia. If we can help more survive we’ll run to celebrate instead of in memory. Having my dad see me at the London marathon is just the best feeling but for those who I’ve lost through cancer you’ll be in my heart and thoughts.”

virginmoneygiving.com/RebeccaWilliams15

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Steven Panter, 29, from Deborough, said: “I am running the London Marathon this weekend for Children with Cancer UK.

“It is my first marathon and I have lost six stone training to do so.”

www.justgiving.com/stevenpanter46

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Oliver Measey said: “I am running the London Marathon this year in aid of Wolf Hirschorn Syndrome trust (WHST), for awareness and to raise some money for the trust and thier work.”

Mark Leggatt said: “I am running my third London Marathon this year for Headway East Northants, the brain injury charity in Irthlingborough.”

www.virginmoneygiving.com/markleggatt

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Gemma Harte said: “My husband Ben and I both have places. We are running for Cardiac Risk in the Young, in memory of Paris Marshall-Holden.”

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Gemma.Ben.Harte

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Andy Birkett, Chairman WRR, said: “I’m running my first marathon at London this year aged 48, raising money for the Fisherman’s Mission. I am one of a full 50+ coach load of local Wootton Road Runners, half of whom are running and raiding money for various charities.”

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Pete Humble, 39 of Northampton, is running the London Marathon for Prostate Cancer UK.

Pete was inspired to run the marathon for Prostate Cancer UK after his father-in-law lost his battle with the disease.

Pete said: “I decided to run the marathon for Prostate Cancer UK because on the 26th April it would have been my dads 75th birthday, I lost him a couple of years ago. Last September my wife’s dad lost his battle with the disease. I will be running the London Marathon to raise much needed funds for Prostate Cancer UK and in memory of 2 great men in my life.

“I am looking forward to the run, and I’m delighted to be raising awareness and much needed money to help the fight against prostate cancer.”

Mark Bishop, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “The Virgin Money London Marathon is a major event in the sporting calendar and we’ve had an overwhelming response from people wanting to take up the challenge this year.

“We’re delighted that Pete has decided to run as part of our Men United team this year and raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

“It’s thanks to our fantastic marathon runners that we can fight for men by providing dedicated support and information to men affected by prostate cancer, and fund research to help more men survive the disease and enjoy a better quality of life. With over 40,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK and one man dying every hour, it’s a challenge we need to face head on.

“We wish Pete every success in the marathon.”

Since it was launched just over a year ago, Men United has caught the imagination, and driven a new zeal for change in men’s health – with more than 200,000 people (and rising) signing up to pledge support. Men from all walks of life, from footballers to lawyers and politicians to plumbers, have formed a growing army, raising funds to find the answers for the future through research and supporting men now. The new movement also lent its backing to a successful campaign to make drugs available to the men with prostate cancer who need them.

People are urged to search Men United and sign up, and use #NotJustAVest to share stories and updates online.

To sponsor Pete please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Pete-Humble1

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Rob Clarke said: “I’m running for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance in memory of my brother.”

www.justgiving.com/RobClarkeMarathon2015

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Cally Berkshire, 46, who works at the Chron, is running the London Marathon on Sunday in aid of Headway East Northants.

Headway East Northants, based in Irthlingborough, is a charitable organisation providing support and services to those individuals, family members and carers affected by an acquired brain injury.

www.virginmoneygiving.com/callyberkshire

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Amie Brotherton said: “I’ll be running in on Sunday! I got into running after a severe rare illness last year and somehow managed to go from barely strong enough to walk to training for this! Must be nuts!

“I’m running for Action Medical research for Children”

http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/jasonandamie

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Phil Saxby, a former Iron Man, is running to raise funds for Save The Rhino.